Cluster Pharmaceutical Policy and Planning

The main functions of the Cluster are centred on implementation of the National Drug Policy in support of other National Programmes. The goal of the NDP is to ensure an adequate supply of safe, cost effective drugs of acceptable quality to all citizens of South Africa and their rational use by prescribers, dispensers and consumers as well as issues related to Food Control and Safety. These functions are organised in two directorates namely:

1. Pharmaceutical Programme and Planning
2. Food Control

Relevant Documents:

• Annual Single Exit Prices Increases: List of approved companies and price list(coming soon)
• Norms for establishing need –Pharmacies
• Posters and Flyers  for Pharmacy Awareness Week - 4 - 10 September 2006
• Pharmaceutical Management Information System - Licensing issues
• Standard Treatment Guidelines and Essential Drugs List for South Africa
• National Drugs Policy for South Africa - January 1996 (PDF)

DIRECTORATE: PHARMACEUTICAL PROGRAMMES AND PLANNING

Distribution:

• Establish and monitor policies and guidelines for equitable and efficient distribution, storage, disposal and destruction of all pharmaceuticals and medical sundries
• Explore feasibility of distribution of pharmaceuticals and medical sundries to SADC countries to foster regional uniformity.

Procurement:

• Facilitate cost effective procurement for the provinces to ensure availability of essential items through the coordination of national tenders with the involvement of programme managers and relevant role players.

Selection:

• Develop an explicit evidence based selection process for the update and review of the EDL/STG for PHC and hospital level and a supporting Essential Surgical list for PHC.

Rational drug use:

• Conduct research to identify major contributing factors for irrational drug use by health workers and consumers.
• Develop a comprehensive information education and communication strategy for health workers and consumers, supporting provincial activities.

Systems

• Provide a Medical Logistics System for those authorities choosing to form part of an integrated logistical process of procurement and provisioning of medical supplies
• Establishment and maintain a Medical Logistics Management Information System to provide management information concerning pharmaceutical and sundry medical items.

Pharmaceutical Expenditure

• Promote cost-effective availability of essential pharmaceuticals in SA .

DIRECTORATE: FOOD CONTROL

The Directorate: Food Control administers legislation that governs food safety and the labeling of food. It also provides support and guidance to the provincial and local authorities that are respectively responsible for food import control and the enforcement of food safety legislation in their areas of jurisdiction. There is regular liaison with consumers, the food industry and other national and international stakeholders who are kept informed on issues that relate to food safety and food labeling. The Directorate is the National Contact Point for the Joint FAO/WHO Codex Alimentarius Commission.

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